Would you guesstimate that figure to be more or less than what you were paying for the same or similar items four years ago?

Back in 2009, we grabbed a trolley and wheeled around a local supermarket to find out how much we'd pay for a basic supply of groceries. Last time around that figure totalled $76.24 in Dubbo.

Four years have passed and as we discovered, walking to the checkout with the same shopping list only had us handing over $71.51 this time around.

Tea and butter, both up by over a dollar, marked the biggest increases since 2009 while mince, washing powder, toothpaste and cheese all dropped by over a dollar and bananas by $2.44.

Drop in prices could make a 'great difference'

Commenting on cost of living concerns in the local community, Dubbo Salvation Army's Colin Young said a drop in prices at the supermarket could make a difference on multiple fronts.

"Over the twelve months (based on a weekly basis) that's $260. That's going to make a great difference because the big problem is always - in family budgets - electricity.

"Electricity has been rocketing up for the last few years and if they can put another $260 back on their power bill, that's going to be a great help."

Colin said when it comes to cost of living concerns mentioned in his office, power and heating always topped the list.

"That's what most people want to discuss when they come in. The other thing would be the lack of availability of fresh fruit and vegetables - not always happy with the supermarket offerings."

When it comes to the five dollar difference between totals of 2009 and 2013, Colin Young said it could even bring a change to the diets options for some families in the community.

"A lot of people go without meat because they can't afford it. Five dollars a week is about half a pound of mince or a packet of sausages. That's the thing they've been dropping out, they just don't eat meat because they can't afford it."

"It's always good when the price goes down and something can go back into someone's pocket."

Supermarket competition, choice and locality

Dubbo Council Economic Development Officer, Josie Howard, said in terms of superarket competition, the city welcomes commercial development, competition for business and choice for consumers.

"The retail sector in Dubbo is generally strong and the second highest employer behind healthcare and social assistance.

"Dubbo is well serviced by a variety of supermarket options, from large supermarket chains to neighbourhood shopping centres that feature smaller supermarket chains and independent convenience stores."

Ms Howard said a recently approved supermarket development on the outskirts of the CBD, represented a $4.2 million investment in Dubbo by the chain in question.

As for how Dubbo compares to the rest of the country, Ms Howard acknowledged the issue of transport for non-metropolitan centres but said there was also opportunity for the town as a major transport hub for goods.

"The city is well positioned to also act as a hub for warehousing and transport of goods further west.

"Providing to such a large service area means that customer variety in Dubbo is generally very good in terms of supermarkets, with some specialist cultural supermarkets also starting to emerge in the market."

Click here to see how our local grocery basket measured up to the price others paid across the rest of the country, through our national graphic.

Explore the shopping list and price comparison information below to find out what items were responsible for lowering the overall bill during our recent shop.